Making DIY jewelry is all about expression. A piece of jewelry made by hand can be perfectly tailored for the person it is made for. It is possible to incorporate unique materials, unusual designs, and custom features. DIY jewelry need not have a characteristically handmade look and can be made using professional tools, materials, and designs. Even so, it is important to remember that a wealth of instructions and tips exists for making jewelry, and learning about how other pieces of jewelry were made can expand someone's skills considerably. When making DIY jewelry, the best place to start is with an idea. Looking at many different types of jewelry, learning about techniques used currently and historically, and thinking about what is appealing about this type of accessory can all be part of forming an initial idea. Almost any design can be achieved with sufficient skill and knowledge, but researching how to execute particularly complex designs can be daunting. As such, most people choose to begin with DIY jewelry of fairly conventional designs.

Custom jewelry is jewelry which has been designed for a specific person, rather than being produced for general sale. It is typically hand crafted by a metalsmith or artisa who consults with the client on several occasions to ensure that the piece meets the client's expectations and needs. Many jewelers are happy to take commissions for custom jewelry, and those who do not can generally refer clients to metalsmiths and jewelers who do handle commissions and special requests. Any sort of jewelry can be ordered as a commission, but one of the most common types is wedding jewelry. Engagement and wedding rings may be made on commission as a symbol of love and partnership, and to ensure that spouses have wedding jewelry which is truly unique. The use of customized wedding jewelry also allows couples to express themselves distinctively with their jewelry, including symbols, shapes, and inscriptions which may be important to them. Custom jewelry may also be commissioned for major occasions as a gift. A husband might present a wife with hand made earrings or necklaces upon the birth of a child, for example, or parents might present a graduating child with a piece of custom jewelry. This jewelry is also commissioned for films, debutante balls, and numerous other occasions.